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Although The Juice has represented dog bite victims, he still likes the rest of the critters. So he was not pleased to read about the behavior of these would-be robbers in The Journal Gazette (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

Two men armed with a gun attempted a robbery in a home in the 200 block of Esmond Street shortly after noon Tuesday, Fort Wayne police said.

The victims told police that two men knocked on the door asking for a 17-year-old who lived in the home.

Great plan so far. It gets better.

When they were told the person they were looking for wasn’t home, they pushed inside, pointed a gun to the resident’s head and demanded money, police said.

When the man told the suspects he did not have any money, police said, they threatened to shoot his dog. Police said two other people inside the home who heard the commotion also had the gun pointed at their heads while the suspects demanded money.

So much for Plans A, B, C and D. Apparently there was no Plan E.

When everyone continued to tell the suspects they didn’t have any money, the men left, police said.

Well, that went well, at least for the victims – although they were undoubtedly terrified. So did the cops catch the perps?

Shortly after, two men with guns were seen in the 3000 block of South Clinton Street, which is near the home on Esmond Street, police said. Officers were not able to locate the suspects.

This is not meant to discourage good Samaritans from taking action. However, when you have two apparently equal sides (who should be able to work it out themselves) arguing, in these gun-toting times, if you intervene, you’re liable to get yourself shot … As reported by The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina):

Investigators told local media outlets that a man trying to stop an argument between two groups of people at Magnolia Mall was shot in the leg around 7:45 p.m.

Police say the gunshots caused hundreds of people to run out of the mall and the shooter was able to get out in the chaos. The family of the man shot drove him to the hospital.

Fortunately, the well-intentioned gent was treated and released. Trigger happy pappy is still at large. Here’s the source.

Spokane County Superior Court Judge Sam Cozza apparently has a dim view of people swearing in his courtroom. He halted proceedings midway through Friday’s first appearance docket after a teenager got up and stormed out of the courtroom, leaving a string of expletives in his wake.

Cozza demanded that the teen come back inside the courtroom and told him he was in trouble. The teen’s initial response was to say “Do I have to?” but he complied with the judge’s instruction. He told the judge that he’d been in court to see his brother, who had been arrested the day before. “I’m just a little bit irritated,” he said. “Some of the allegations were false.”

Cozza gave the teen a brief lecture on proper courtroom conduct and he was handcuffed by two Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies. The 17-year-old was booked into Spokane County Juvenile Detention, where he celebrated his 18th birthday on Saturday.

Yes, some people want rules in their neighborhood. And that’s why some people move into condos or neighborhoods governed by homeowners associations. But there are some really stupid rules – like this one! And some of you will say that these folks could have read the rules in advance, but nobody reads the rules! Do you read everything you sign (or click!)? This is just an overreach by a group of folks who clearly have nothing better to do. As reported at Syracuse.com

The Kimry Moor Homeowners Association has filed a lawsuit against residents David and Arna Orlando in Onondaga County Supreme Court because they are parking their 2014 black Ford 150 pickup in their driveway at 511 Kimry Moor, just outside the village of Fayetteville.

The association wants an injunction to stop the couple from parking their pickup in the driveway of their home.

Yes, you read that right. And what’s the legal basis for this claim?

The association cites its regulations, which limits parking in driveways only to “private, passenger-type, pleasure automobiles,” according to the lawsuit. The association owns all the driveways in the development, according to court filings. The Orlandos could park their pickup in their garage, but not in their driveway.

Hmm. Sounds pretty vague to The Juice, and the association wrote it, so they lose! Not so fast. But what do the Orlandos have to say for themselves?

David Orlando said the pickup is his own personal. passenger vehicle and not a commercial vehicle of any sort.

“This is absolutely absurd,” he said.

David Orlando also said other people are parking pickups in their driveway. This past week a Syracuse.com/Post-Standard reporter saw a full size pickup with cap, a large van and a sports utility vehicle parked other driveways in Kimry Moor.

Orlandos’ lawyers said in court papers that the Orlandos’ pickup is a “private, passenger-type, pleasure automobile” and therefore is in compliance with the rules. Orlando and his lawyer, Tom Cerio, said the pickup is registered with the state as a “passenger vehicle” and not as a commercial vehicle. And the Orlandos do not have commercial drivers’ licenses.

“This is a silly rule,” said Tom Cerio, who is representing the Orlandos. “It’s fair to say the association is definitely overreaching. And they are enforcing this rule for a personal use vehicle, not a commercial vehicle.”

So what’s the status of the case now?

The lawsuit was filed in August 2013 and is still in discovery with depositions to come next, Cerio said. He declined further comment because this is a pending court case.

The Juice really hopes the Orlandos win on everything, including their claim against the association …

Court papers also said the association has “impeded and interfered with the Orlandos’ “quiet use and enjoyment” of their property. The Orlandos are seeking an unspecified amount of damages, which would help them pay for having to hire a lawyer to represent them in this legal proceeding.

The Juice will leave you with one more stupid association rule:

… holiday decorations must be displayed “in a subdued and proper manner.”

Sounds like a war on … celebrating! Not cool at all. Here’s the source, which includes a photo of the “offending” vehicle!

Here’s an example of a judge in Arkansas who couldn’t keep it in, although he really didn’t pay a price for his misconduct. As reported by ArkansasMatters.com:

A Union County District Court judge is being disciplined after the investigation of several complaints.

The Juice has seen worse, but this stuff is just not cool.

One of the complaints involved a witness in a 2013 criminal case. While giving testimony, it was reported that Judge Van Hook appeared “angry, agitated and frustrated,” verbally berated the witness, then ordered his arrest without any probable cause documentation from any law enforcement officer or the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

After the witness’s arrest, he hired an attorney and all criminal charges filed against him due to the judge’s actions were dismissed by a special judge in 2014.

In other complaints, the Judge was reported to have spoken to people in court in a “discourteous and undignified manner,” telling one woman who appeared before him in June 2014 that she had “meth teeth.”

He also called someone else before him “stupid” and “yelled at him repeatedly to show his driver’s license to the Court.” So what was the discipline?

The action amounts to a Letter of Censure issued to Judge Van Hook, which cites six complaints.

You call that discipline? You’ll find the source, including a link to the disciplinary order, by clicking here.

Craigslist is a great resource. But that doesn’t mean that everyone who uses it is legit, as pretty much EVERYONE should know by now! As reported in the Colorado Springs Police Blotter:

Officers responded to a robbery where a shot had been fired. Investigation revealed that the victim responded to the 1400 block of Alvarado Dr. to purchase a vehicle from an ad he had seen on Craigslist. The victim met the alleged seller at an apartment complex and the victim gave him cash toward the payment of the car. The suspect then ran from the victim and the victim chased the suspect. A physical altercation occurred in the area of Verde Dr. and Zebulon Dr. where the suspect produced a handgun. A second suspect arrived and struck the victim in the head with a bat. The victim then continued to run after the suspect into a field east of that location and the suspect fired one shot at the victim. The suspects left the area in a black Altima with possibly bearing a temporary tag. Suspect 1 is a black male in his 20’s wearing gray sweats and a jacket. Suspect 2 was a black male in his 20’s with unknown clothing description. The victim was treated at the scene for his injury from being struck with a bat. Investigation is continuing.

Have you ever had a cold streak, where it seems like your bag is always among the last to emerge and plunk onto the baggage carousel? Well, be glad that you got it at all. A boatload of folks in Seattle and Portland never got their luggage thanks to these two miscreants. As reported by highlinetimes.com (Burien, Washington):

Police believe that they have identified two individuals responsible for the theft of thousands of dollars in baggage in at least two international airports. According to Port of Seattle documents, two individuals, a man and a woman were caught on camera at SeaTac International Airport stealing 18 bags in early 2014. Each theft is carried out in a similar way with one of the individuals casually approaching an activate baggage claim conveyor-belt, picking up one or more bags, and nonchalantly exiting the baggage claim area. The 18 bags that have been connected with the suspects through security footage have a combined estimated value of over $40,000. The suspects are also wanted in connection to the theft of another 13 bags from Portland International Airport valued at an estimated $18,000. An unidentified tipster helped police identify the two suspects as Kervan Reed and Silvia Brooks, both from Chicago. Reed has since been arrested in Florida for unrelated charges but police are still on the lookout for Brooks as they are unsure if she still in the Pacific Northwest.

Need a ride? This is one of the worst ideas for getting one! As reported by waaytv.com:

[Kurt] Smith [56] called the State Police on Sunday at around 2 p.m. to report a disorderly person at the Red Lion Motel, where he was staying, authorities said.

But the two troopers who responded discovered there was no disorderly person at the Route 206 inn — just Smith, who apparently had transportation challenges. When the troopers arrived, Smith admitted he’d made the call and then asked to be taken to a local convenience store, police said.

Sure, there are many possible explanations. But The Juice is going with this one: Someone had a REALLY bad day in court at some point in his or her life. As reported by WISC TV (at channel3000.com):

Madison Mayor Paul Soglin said changes are needed to protect employees at the City-County Building after Madison municipal court workers arrived at work Wednesday morning to find one of the courtroom walls covered with excrement.

Kelly McConnell, a judicial support clerk, sent an email and photo to Soglin, Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, Madison Police Chief Mike Koval and many other public officials detailing her frustrations.

“So THIS was found in the courtroom this morning as we were trying to get ready for court!” McConnell wrote. “Someone has been in the courtroom, AGAIN, and defecated in the courtroom itself. When will SOMEONE do something about what is going on in this building???!!!”

So maybe that’s a little bit of hyperbole. Still, who would steal the baby Jesus? And why, in reporting about the theft, would anyone capitalize the word “Baby”? In any event, as reported by NJ Advance Media for nj.com:

A Rockaway Township husband and wife say they are “heartbroken” after a Baby Jesus was stolen from a nativity scene on their front lawn.

But Elaine and Mark Romito haven’t given up on retrieving the item that has graced the front of their home at 8 Daniel St. during the Christmas season for the past 22 years.

The couple is asking for help from the public in the hope that Baby Jesus will be returned.

What, are Joseph and Mary chopped liver?

You can read a lot more about this, and see a photo of the nativity scene, here.

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